California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

Certificate of Authority Instructions

To operate in California, all insurers must gain admittance by obtaining a Certificate of Authority.

This application provides a detailed explanation of California's admission requirements, along with instructions designed to assist you with preparing and submitting the necessary documentation. California's review process consists of a comprehensive and detailed legal and financial review of the applicant's business. While our review is thorough, you will find the department's streamlined application process enables us to complete our review in as quickly as ninety days.

Please Note: To organize a California domestic insurer, the first step is to apply for an organizational security permit. This permit authorizes the sale of stock to obtain the initial capital and surplus. For information on this process please review the security permit regulations at Title 10, Cal Code of Regs. Sec. 2600 et seq., or call the Legal Division, Corporate Affairs Bureau for an explanatory form letter.

If you are planning to seek admission in multiple states at approximately the same time, you may want to consider filing a Uniform Certificate of Authority Application (UCAA). These applications are accepted by many states, including California, and intended to further streamline the admissions process.

California's Certificate of Authority Information and Instructions

This application has five sections designed to guide you through the admission process.

All applicants are also expected to be familiar with the insurance laws of California. Please see Section V: Referrals to Other Agencies & Resources for information about how to obtain a copy of the California Insurance Code and the California Code of Regulations.

If you have any questions about our admission process, please contact the department's Corporate Affairs Bureau by mailing your questions to the bureau at 45 Fremont Street, 24th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, or by calling (415) 538-4035. We recommend you contact the department with any questions prior to submitting your application.